Nando further intensifies, parts of Babuyan Is. remain under Storm Signal 5

Super Typhoon Nando further intensified Monday morning as it begins to turn westward towards Babuyan Island, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 8 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the eye of Nando was estimated at 180 km east of Calayan, Cagayan. 

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 265 km/h, and central pressure of 910 hPa. It is moving westward at 20 km/h.

PAGASA said the following tropical cyclone wind signals have been assigned:

Signal No. 5

• The northern and central portions of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Isl., Didicas Isl., Panuitan Isl., Calayan Isl., Dalupri Isl., Irao Isl., Camiguin Isl., Pamuktan Isl.)

Signal No. 4

• The southeastern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang),
• the rest of Babuyan Islands,
• the northeastern and northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira),
• the northernmost portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud)

Signal No. 3

• The rest of Batanes,
• the northern and central portions of mainland Cagayan (Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Alcala, Santo Niño, Lasam, Allacapan, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Rizal, Amulung, Piat),
• the northern and central portions of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Pudtol, Luna, Calanasan, Kabugao), and
• the northern and central portions of Ilocos Norte (Carasi, Piddig, Vintar, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Adams, Nueva Era, Solsona, Dingras, Sarrat, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Currimao, Paoay, City of Batac, Marcos, Banna)

Signal No. 2

• The rest of Cagayan,
• Isabela,
• the rest of Apayao,
• Abra,
• Kalinga,
• Mountain Province,
• Ifugao,
• the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Bakun, Kibungan),
• the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi),
• the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and
• the northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Santol)

Signal No. 1

• Quirino,
• the rest of Nueva Vizcaya,
• the rest of Benguet,
• the rest of La Union,
• Pangasinan,
• Aurora,
• Nueva Ecija,
• Bulacan,
• Tarlac,
• Pampanga,
• Zambales, and
• the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands 

Storm surge

PAGASA said there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters within the next 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities:

More than 3 meters

• Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte

2.1 to 3 meters

• Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur

1 to 2 meters

• Ilocos Sur

The state weather bureau advised affected residents to stay away from the coast or beach and cancel all marine activities.

Track and intensity

PAGASA said Nando will continue moving westward towards the Babuyan Islands. It said the center of Nando may pass close or may make landfall over Babuyan Islands between noon and early afternoon today. 

It added Nando may maintain its strength or further intensify before its close approach to Babuyan Islands.

Nando may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday morning.—AOL, GMA Integrated News